Portland's 1984 Time Capsule Opened!

posted by Gale Cunningham
-
2 years ago

Nike athletic shoes, a toy from Finnegan’s and Henry Weinhard’s Ale were among the more than 50 items pulled from Portland's time capsule from 1984 in downtown Portland Friday.

Officials of the City of Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and the Oregon Historical Society opened the capsule, originally sealed 30 years ago. It is a vault built into the Square and located behind a plaque on the southeast corner.

The capsule’s contents were found in mostly good condition, with clothing and apparel showing the effects of Portland’s penetrable liquid sunshine. The volume of objects, including written and artistic records of the time, numbered much higher than the 50 items originally on record as enclosed within the capsule.

A select number of these capsule items will be showcased, in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society, in an exhibit opening on Friday, June 27th in the Pavilion at the Oregon Historical Society Museum.

Throughout 2014, Pioneer Courthouse Square will be accepting nominations from the public for new items to be placed back into the time capsule vault, where they will remain until 2034, the Square’s 50th Anniversary. Recommendations can be made online at www.thesquarepdx.org, or written submissions can be made at submission boxes located at the Oregon Historical Society, Portland’s Visitor Information Center or the Starbucks at the Square or mailed to Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc./ 715 SW Morrison Street, Ste. 702/ Portland, OR 97205.